Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Toby - boy or dog

35 replies

CinnamonElephant · 26/01/2023 07:41

My beautiful boy is Toby. We go out walking a lot because we both love it. But it seems an extraordinary amount of dogs are also called Toby. Thankfully my Toby doesn't get the connection but I do find it amusing when I'm calling Toby and the couple coming towards me are doing the same.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Ohwhatarelief · 26/01/2023 22:15

An old fashioned jug you’d find in a pub. Never liked the name along with Robin (though love it for a girl)

AliceMcK · 26/01/2023 22:15

I always think of Toby as a dog name, my Nan had a dog called Toby. It was my only reference growing up, that and Toby jugs.

Same with my name, growing up our neighbours had a dog with my name and so did my cousins employers, I used to phone him and everyone would laugh that the company guard dog was on the phone.

There are at least half a dozen Poppys in my DDs school, I also know about half a dozen dogs called Poppy too.

powershowerforanhour · 26/01/2023 22:13

There are far more dogs called Oscar, Archie, Alfie and Teddy now than there are canine Tobys.

TimeforacuppaT · 26/01/2023 22:12

If I ever have another son I’ll call him Tobias (Toby) absolutely love this name.

LolaSmiles · 26/01/2023 22:11

All the Tobys I know are boys, usually it's their nickname from Tobias.

DramaAlpaca · 26/01/2023 22:10

The only one I know is a dog.

AuntieStella · 26/01/2023 22:09

I've only ever known two.

One was a terrier, and the other was the (human) friend of one of the DC

xprincessxjanetx · 26/01/2023 22:06

My GP's dog was called Toby but I don't think it's a typical dog's name IYKWIM. I would use it for a DC.

Sh4rkAttack · 26/01/2023 21:22

This question is answered by John Finnemore (in relation to scenes in John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme: the first in which Oswald is asked to let Toby out, and the second (several generations later, in the and family) Toby is asked to let Oswald out.
twitter.com/JohnFinnemore/status/1403132235356704769?t=aHRCunf6FNk0-863AZn8Iw&s=19

2tired2bewitty · 26/01/2023 20:57

I have a boy Toby/Tobias. He knows it’s really Tobias because his big sister (8) likes to give him the full name treatment when she’s annoyed with him 😄

PritiPatelsMaker · 26/01/2023 20:53

I know one Lab and one very handsome man.

hulahooplulaloop · 26/01/2023 19:51

Curlywurlybar · 26/01/2023 08:23

I have a little boy called Toby, his name is Tobias but he is 2 and he wouldn’t have a clue as we’ve only ever called him Toby.
I don’t know any animals called Toby but he’d love it if we did!

We do have approximately 4762 teddies in our house also named Toby…you can guess who named those!

I also have a Tobias who has little idea he is not officially a Toby!

I don't know any dog Tobys. I think other boys names may be more popular for dogs like Charlie, Alfie, Max and Milo. But I don't personally have a problem with it being shared with dogs/horses.

maddy68 · 26/01/2023 16:59

It's a good name for both

Howtoberight · 26/01/2023 16:54

My cat is called Toby. Would have used for my son but the cat came first!

LightHousePanda · 26/01/2023 15:55

A neighbour had a dog called Toby so I grew up thinking it was a dog's name.

Pinkdafodils · 26/01/2023 11:09

We had a dog called Toby!

Hellibore · 26/01/2023 08:52

Love it. It's for boys and dogs, anything lovely, cute snd gorgeous really. Like Max.

Snugglemonkey · 26/01/2023 08:41

I had a dog called Toby. He was lovely!

ISaidDontLickTheBin · 26/01/2023 08:31

I'm in the south - I've met several little boys called Toby, also a couple of dogs and one cat.

HoldingTheDoor · 26/01/2023 08:27

I do associate it with dogs. The dog in Punch & Judy was called Toby but so many names are used for pets now. I don't think it's much of an issue.

cushioncovers · 26/01/2023 08:26

It's a horses name in my experience. Smile

Justleaveitblankthen · 26/01/2023 08:26

Never knowingly met anyone with that name. Human, fish or fowl.
I'm up north 🤔

Lavendergreen34 · 26/01/2023 08:26

I know humans and dogs called Toby, so to me it’s both! I love Toblerone

Curlywurlybar · 26/01/2023 08:23

I have a little boy called Toby, his name is Tobias but he is 2 and he wouldn’t have a clue as we’ve only ever called him Toby.
I don’t know any animals called Toby but he’d love it if we did!

We do have approximately 4762 teddies in our house also named Toby…you can guess who named those!

MsMiaWallace · 26/01/2023 08:23

My youngest son is a Toby (& Toblerone!)
I do know of a dog called Toby too though.

My Toby is savage.